Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
HYDRAULIC HOSE SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to hydraulically operated farm
implements. In particular, this invention relates to a support for hydraulic
hoses carried
by the tongue of a pull-type agricultural implement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pull-type agricultural implements have been utilized for various harvesting
operations for many years. These implements, supported primarily by ground
engaging
wheels, are made in a variety of configurations, but normally include
components
supported on a frame. One of these components is a pivotal draft member,
commonly
called a drawbar or a draft tongue. For convenience, any draft member
discussed in the
following description will be referred to as a draft tongue.
For example, in pull-type harvesting implements, the draft tongue is
pivotally mounted to the frame and is connected at the forward end to a
tractor that
provides both motive power and operational power to operate the crop
harvesting header.
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The tractor also provides a source of hydraulic .fluid under pressure from a
conventional
on-board hydraulic system carried by most modern tractors. The hydraulic fluid
is
needed to provide operative power for hydraulic components on the harvesting
implement. The pivotal movement of the draft tongue is controlled by a
hydraulic swing
cylinder interconnecting the frame and the rearward portion of the draft
tongue, which is
powered hydraulically by the tractor. Further, hydraulic lift cylinders and
hydraulic tilt
cylinders, control the height and pitch of the crop harvesting header relative
to the
ground.
Hydraulic fluid is typically transported to and from the implement via a
hydraulic conduit system that includes at least one flexible hose extending
from the
forward end of the draft tongue to the tractor. The flexible hoses are
typically supported
on a fixed support that extends forwardly and vertically from the top of the
draft tongue.
Various methods have been devised to support the hoses from the draft tongue
and above
the power-take-off driveline (PTO).
As shown in Fig. 1, one system commonly used to hold and bundle the
hydraulic hoses is a vertically standing spring with a curved opening at the
top (i.e., a
"pig-tail"). In this design, the base of the spring 11 is fixed to the draft
tongue (not 1
shown) and the hydraulic hoses (not shown) are passed through the curved
opening 13 at
the opposing end of the spring. Although this design has the advantages of
being simple
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and inexpensive, there is at least one distinct disadvantage in that because
the hoses are
not clamped to a surface, the hoses rub against each other and against the
support during
operation and transport of the implement, thereby causing premature wear of
the
hydraulic hoses. Furthermore, this design does not allow for any sort of
arrangement of
the hoses. As the number and size of the hydraulic hoses increases, the holder
becomes
incapable of holding all of the hoses and it becomes increasingly difficult to
load and
exchange the hoses. Moreover, the spring is incapable of holding the weight of
numerous
hoses and tends to fall over if too many hoses are inserted through the "pig-
tail" opening.
Another design that has been used in the industry is illustrated in Fig. 2a.
In
this design, the hydraulic hoses (not shown) are clamped between a bracket 14
and stand
16, which is typically a flat piece of steel. The bracket 14 is held onto the
flat piece of
steel by a nut 19 and bolt 18. Although this system permits the hydraulic
hoses 29 to be
tightly clamped, the clamping force is applied to only a small area of the
hose, which
tends to deform the hose, as is shown in Fig. 2b. Furthermore, arrangement of
the hoses
29 is difficult with this design because different sizes of hoses require
separate clamping
sections. As depicted in Fig. 2c, when two different sizes of hoses are
clamped in the
same section, the pressure applied to the hoses is uneven. Consequently, this
design does
not permit a smaller hose to be clamped under the same bracket as a larger
hose. The use
of steel is also disadvantageous in that it causes premature wear of the
hydraulic hoses.
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Depending on the hardware used (e.g., nuts and bolts), changing the hoses can
be a
tedious, time-consuming procedure.
Formed clamping devices such as the one illustrated in Fig. 3 have also
been used. In this design, curved brackets 21 are affixed to a stand 16 (e.g.,
a flat piece of
steel) by a nut 19 and a bolt 18. The brackets 21 are preferably formed in a
manner such
that they fit together to provide a circular opening through which the
hydraulic hoses are
placed. The brackets 21 are then bolted to the stand 16. These formed clamping
devices
tend to clamp the hose more uniformly over a larger area of the hose
circumference;
however, this design still causes significant wear of the hydraulic hoses,
even if the
clamps are rubber-coated. Furthermore, for larger numbers of hoses, which is
typical of
many seeding implements, this design becomes very expensive and is therefore
undesirable.
Fig. 4 illustrates another attempted design, namely a polyurethane block 23
with key-ways 26 cut into both sides of the block. The block 23 can be
attached to a
stand 16 mounted to the forward end of the draft tongue (not shown). A steel
plate 28 is
generally affixed to the block 23 on the side of the block opposing the stand
16 to hold
the hoses in the key-ways. The block 23 can be mounted to the stand 16 by any
1
conventional manner, e.g., by a nut 19 and a bolt 18. The theory behind this
design is that
when the hydraulic hoses are inserted into the key-ways 26, the block 23 will
become stiff
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and clamp the hoses. However, the size of the holes cut into the block does
not allow for
variations in hose diameter which can be experienced between hoses from
different
suppliers. Furthermore, due to the different sizes of the hoses, some hoses
are clamped
tightly by the block while others are not. Attempting to tightly clamp the
smaller hoses
deforms the larger hoses in a similar fashion to that shown in Fig. 2b.
Pulling on the
hydraulic hoses, such as by activating the hydraulic swing cylinder and
pivoting the draft
tongue, e.g., swinging the farm implement to the side of the tractor,
increases the bending
action of the flexible hoses, causing the polyurethane block 23 to twist and
bend. This
severe bending action causes a crimp in the flexible hoses, which results in a
constriction
of the opening in the flexible hoses, an increased pressure inside the hoses,
and overall
wear and tear of the hydraulic hoses.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a hose support for hydraulic hoses
carried by the tongue of a pull-type agricultural implement that overcomes the
disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a
hose support for hydraulic hoses that overcomes the above-mentioned problems
encountered in the prior art.
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It is another object of this invention to provide an agricultural implement
that provides a hydraulic hose support affixed to the frame of the implement.
It is a feature of this invention that the hose support includes a curved base
portion around which an elastomeric block is compressed.
It is yet another feature of this invention that the hose support includes
openings or key ways cut into an elastomeric block that fixes the hoses to the
hose
support.
It is a further feature of the present invention that the hose support
arranges
the hoses by size and/or hydraulic circuit in a neat and orderly fashion.
It is another feature of this inventian that the hoses are clamped with a
force
sufficient to eliminate motion between the hoses but not deform the hoses.
It is still another feature of this invention that the hose support elevates
the
flexible hydraulic hoses above the power-take-off driveline (PTO).
It is a further feature of the present invention that the elastomeric block is
affixed to a curved base.
It is an advantage of the present invention that the polyurethane material of
the elastomeric block provides a tough, pliable connection to the hydraulic
hoses.
It is another advantage of this invention that hydraulic hoses used to
connect pull-type agricultural implements to a tractor will have a longer
life.
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It is a further advantage of this invention that the hose support allows for
easy insertion or removal of hydraulic hoses.
It is yet another advantage of this invention that the hose support provides
easy access from the holding fixtures to the tractor couplers.
It is another advantage of this invention that hydraulic hoses can be changed
with minimal effort.
It is still another feature of this invention to provide a hose support for a
pull-type agricultural implement which is durable in construction, inexpensive
to
manufacture, easy to maintain, easy to assemble, and simple and effective in
use.
These and other objects, features, and advantages are accomplished
according to the present invention by providing an agricultural implement
operatively
connected to a tractor to receive operative power therefrom. The implement
includes a
wheeled frame and.a. draft tongue pivotally connected to the frame and
extending
forwardly from the frame to connect with the tractor. A hydraulic cylinder
interconnects
the frame and the draft tongue to control the pivotal movement of the draft
tongue relative
to the frame. Other a hydraulic cylinders control the height of the frame and
the cutting
angle thereof relative to the ground. A hydraulic conduit system containing at
least one
flexible hose extending from the forward end of the draft tongue to the
tractor and
provides a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure from the tractor to the
hydraulic
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cylinders to control the operation thereof. A hydraulic hose support is
mounted on the
forward end of the dra$ tongue to support the flexible hoses. The hose support
includes a
vertical support, a base portion defining a curved portion and being affixed
to the vertical
support, and an elastomeric block having openings therein to receive the
flexible hoses
and fix the hoses to the hose support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed
description that
follows, in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings. It is to be
expressly
understood, however, that the drawings are for illustrative purposes and are
not to be
construed as defining the limits of the invention.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view representing a spring-like hose support of the
prior art;
Fig. 2a is an exploded perspective view representing a rigid hose support of
the prior art;
Fig. 2b is an enlarged partial elevational view of the hose support of Fig. 2a
depicting the deformation of the hydraulic hoses;
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Fig. 2c is an enlarged partial elevational view of the hose support of Fig. 2a
depicting the inability of the hose support to clamp two different size hoses;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view representing a clamping hose support
of the prior art;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view representing a rigid hose support of
the prior art incorporating an elastomeric block;
Fig. 5 is a top plan view representing a hay harvesting implement
incorporating the principals of the instant invention, tire implement is
connected to a
tractor to provide operative power thereto, the movement of the draft tongue
being
depicted in phantom, portions of the tractor and the implement being broken
away for
purposes of clarity;
Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial top plan view similar to that of Fig. 5, showing
the connection of the draft tongue to the tractor;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a hose support incorporating the principles of
the present invention;
and
Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the hose support shown in Fig. 7;
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Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the hose support depicted in Fig. 7 in an open
configuration.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, a mower-conditioner incorporating the principles
of the instant invention can be seen. The mower-conditioner 10, exemplary of
pull-type
agricultural implements, which could include air seeders, planters and other
types of
agricultural implements, includes a wheeled frame 12 adapted for movement over
the
field to harvest hay crop. A crop harvesting header 15 is mounted on the
forward portion
of the frame 12 to engage standing crop material, sever the crop material from
the ground,
and further harvest the severed crop material by conditioning the hay crop
before
discharging the conditioned crop to the ground behind the wheeled frame 12.
Pull-type agricultural implements 10 utilize a draft tongue 20 that is
pivotally mounted at the rearward end thereof to the frame 12 and connected at
the
forward end thereof to a tractor T that provides both motive power and
operational power
to operate the crop harvesting header 15. The tractor T also provides a source
of
hydraulic fluid under pressure from a conventional on-board hydraulic system
carried by
most modern tractors T. The hydraulic fluid under pressure is needed to
provide
1
operative power for hydraulic components on the implement 10. For example, the
pivotal
movement of the pivoted draft tongue ZU is controlled by a hydraulic swing
cylinder 22
interconnecting the frame 12 and the rearward portion of the tongue 20. Other
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conventional examples of hydraulically controlled components include hydraulic
lift
cylinders that control the height of the crop harvesting header 15 relative to
the ground
and a hydraulic tilt cylinder that interconnects the frame 12 and the top of
the crop
harvesting header 15 to control the pitch of the header relative to the
ground.
The implement 10 is typically provided with a hydraulic fluid conduit
system 25 including hoses 29 interconnecting the on-board tractor hydraulic
system and
the hydraulic components 22 of the implement 10 to provide flow communication
therebetween. Typically, the conduit system 25 includes fixed length pipes 27
mounted
on top of the draft tongue 20. Flexible hoses 29 are typically connected to
the ends of the
pipes 27 to provide appropriate flow communication connection at each
respective end of
the pipes 27. An alternative configuration would be for the flexible hoses 29
to extend
over top of the draft tongue 20, eliminating the fixed length pipes.
As discussed above, the existing methods to hold the hydraulic hoses 29
have many deficiencies. The hose support of the present invention provides an
improved
hose support for the assemblage of the hydraulic hoses above the PTO.
Referring now to
Figs. 5 - 6, the details of the hose support 30 can best be seen. The hose
support 30 is
mounted on a support portion 33, such as by welding, to the forwardmost end of
the draft
tongue 20. Alternatively, the hose support can be mounted to the hitch of the
implement
10. The hose support 30 includes a base portion 36 defining a generally curved
portion
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37. An elastomeric block 32 having openings 38 to receive hydraulic hoses (not
shown)
formed on one side therein is pivotally attached to the curved portion 37 of
the base 3b.
Preferably the block 32 is formed of a polyurethane material. The block 32 is
compressed
around the curved portion 37 and is held in place by any suitable means, such
as, for
example, nuts 17 and bolts 18 or a latch 34 axed to the end of the base
opposite the
pivotal connection of the block 32 to the base 36. Other suitable examples
would be
easily identified by one of ordinary skill in the art. Optionally, a flexible
metal strip 39 is
affixed to the top of the block 32 to provide added support to the flexible
hoses 29.
In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 7 - 9, the support portion 33 projects
upwardly from the draft tongue 20. This keeps the flexible hoses 29 high
enough to clear
the power-take-off driveline (PTO) while also allowing them to follow the
tractor T.
Additionally, the upward positioning of the support portion 33 of the hose
support 30
allows for more hose length and therefore a greater angle of the draft tongue
20 relative to
the tractor T.
In a preferred embodiment, any unused openings 38 are plugged (not
shown) to keep the clamping force on the hoses 29 uniform throughout the block
32. By
placing plugs into the unused openings 38, a more uniform clamping force
throughout the
block 32 will be achieved.
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Of the many implicit and explicit advantages of the present invention, one
of the most important is the uniform and tight clamping of the hoses 29 in the
block 32
without any deformation of the hoses 29. By compressing the elastomeric block
32
around the curved portion 37 of the base 36, the hoses 29 are clamped with a
force
sufficient to eliminate motion between the hoses, which increases the
operative life of the
hoses 29. Another advantage of the instant invention is that the openings 38
can be of
any number of sizes to accommodate the differences in hose diameters between
suppliers.
Moreover, the openings 38 will collapse until they encounter a hose surface,
thereby
ensuring a secure fit around the hoses 29. The openings 38 in the hose support
30
arranges the hoses by size and/or hydraulic circuit in a neat and orderly
fashion.
In addition, the hydraulic hoses 29 in the hose support 30 can be changed
with minimal effort. As shown in Fig. 7, the block 32 can be pivoted away from
the base
36, thereby exposing openings 38. The hoses 29 can then be easily inserted or
removed
from the openings 38. Afterwards, the block 32 is compressed onto the base 36
and
secured by any one of the means discussed above.
The invention of this application has been described above both
1
generically and with regard to specific embodiments. Although the invention
has been
set forth in what is believed to be the preferred embodiments, a wide variety
of
alternatives known to those of skill in the art can be selected within the
generic
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disclosure. The invention is not otherwise limited, except for the recitation
of the claims
set forth below.
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